Well, every day this week, I have been going to the horse ranch near me to visit the horses...and well, today was different...

I went there at about 3:45pm my time, but no one was there and the barn door was closed, so I waited patiently for about an hour for one of the ladies to show up. I thought it was fine, because they told me I could see the horses whenever I wanted, as long as I'm careful and don't walk into the pens, which is obvious. So I walked into the stalls area and only Hope and Smudge were around, so I pet them for a few minutes, maybe only 15 mins. Then I left. Well, I got a phone call later on at around 8:50pm, and it was the lady that was there today.

She told me that I'm apparently not allowed to go passed the front gate area anymore unless one of them are there, because I caused too much with the horses, and she commented on how much I "cuddled" the horses I spent just a few moments with. This has been bugging the hell out of me since. I am on the brink of just bursting into tears, this isn't what I wanted at all. I thought It was fine. Apparently Hope is sick, and I gave her too much attention, I had no idea she was under any pain or illness today, I only heard that she had a bit of a leg problem. So, I won't bother going everyday anymore, since she shot my eagerness to see the horses, and confidence down to a very low point, that I even considered just saying forget it, with the ranch thing this summer...

I hate being told things like this, it eats me up inside and makes me feel awkward when I do go there to see the animals, plus it makes me look like a fool.

I have no one to talk to about this, since I feel downright embarrassed, and question whether or not to continue to see the horses after this. I need someone's help right away.

Did I do something wrong? Please help me, or try comforting me in some way, I don't feel well at all now.

Thanks for looking. :cry:

justsambam08

06-12-2010 01:55 AM

I don't think you should pay any attention to what the woman said.

Just don't go there anymore if they arent there.

Cougar

06-12-2010 07:12 AM

Are you involved with these horses or do you just stop by and say hi to them?

Because as a person who has her horses on a route where people often walk by, but not in a highly populated horse area, I would be choked if someone waltzed into my barn. If my horses are staying in there is a reason for it. Like my big lame mare. I don't want anyone I don't know being around my injured horse. For their safety as she is huge and a bit frisky from stall rest.

I love how social people are and how much they enjoy coming and petting the horses. The horses really like it too. I know everyone who stops by and pets them, they know all the horses by name and actually that's how I knew my big mare was injured. One of the ladies who walks by got a hold of my family. But there is a line you can cross. It sucks that line wasn't made clearer to you though. I mean if you don't know you don't know. The owner may have just been stressed as her horse is hurt.

MacabreMikolaj

06-12-2010 10:20 AM

It really really depends on the circumstances. Are these HER horses? Is she the owner of the barn? Did the owner herself/himself inform you you were allowed at the barn?

I would analyze the info you do have, because if I had personally been told by the owner of the barn that I could come and visit his/her horses, I'd ignore her, it's none of her business. If they're her horses, I can understand being upset, but it's not her right to tell you not to come. If one of the "ladies" told you to come, then I can understand another one being upset.

Everyone has a different attitude when it comes to horses and it can be hard to please everyone. If you had an arrangement with the owner, I would speak to that person about it.

Thorn4

06-12-2010 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacabreMikolaj
(Post 658412)

It really really depends on the circumstances. Are these HER horses? Is she the owner of the barn? Did the owner herself/himself inform you you were allowed at the barn?

I would analyze the info you do have, because if I had personally been told by the owner of the barn that I could come and visit his/her horses, I'd ignore her, it's none of her business. If they're her horses, I can understand being upset, but it's not her right to tell you not to come. If one of the "ladies" told you to come, then I can understand another one being upset.

Everyone has a different attitude when it comes to horses and it can be hard to please everyone. If you had an arrangement with the owner, I would speak to that person about it.

The lady that called me, was not the owner of the barn or all the horses. She owns 5 of them at the place, but the 2 horses I was petting are not hers. They know who I am, and another lady, who I met the first day when I asked if I could help the horses and see them, said I was welcome to see them anytime, and of course I use caution around them at all times. But I don't want to say too much in case they tell me to hit the road. I think some horse people are a little too kept in to themselves with their horses. They should let other people see them. If the horse is not feeling well or is hurt, then they should inform the person first. So, I'm not going back there anytime soon, which will probably make Smudge sad, but oh well, she can be mad at the lady that called me.

I don't know what to do now, other than wait it out until summer starts. :?

If I had my own horse there, I'd go there anytime I wanted.

.Delete.

06-12-2010 01:26 PM

There is such a thing as giving a horse too much attention?Posted via Mobile Device

Thorn4

06-12-2010 01:34 PM

I guess so. I just broke into tears a moment ago from thinking of this so much. I didn't sleep until 3am last night because this has been eating me alive.

Thorn4

06-12-2010 02:52 PM

I just got off the phone with the lady about 20 mins ago. I now can only go when she's there, but I have to call first. Also, when I told her it's only Smudge I wanted to see, she told me that horse is the most dangerous on the farm. I found this hard to believe because Smudge hasn't shown any aggression towards me all the times I've gone to see her. But whatever, people can be stuck up when it comes to people seeing their horses. I'm not going back there every week.

MacabreMikolaj

06-12-2010 03:27 PM

If she doesn't own the horses, it's none of her business, PERIOD. You need to find out who the owner of these horses is, because that's the biggest load of cockamamie bull I've ever heard in my life. Spending time with a hurt or sick horse is beneficial to it - a horse is a social animal that isn't going to find benefit from being locked in a dark stall with no human or equine interaction.

Based on what you've said, it's none of her concern. It is the concern ONLY of whoever owns Smudge and Hope, and possibly the barn owner if there is a rule that non-boarders can't be there.

I may get annoyed if someone brings their toddler to the barn, but as a boarder, I cannot tell them they CAN'T bring the kid back. The only thing I can do is approach the barn owner and voice my safety concerns.

Don't let her push you around because you're young - stand up for yourself, and talk to the owner of these horses. Don't cry or whine about it, approach them like an adult and tell them what has happened.

Jessabel

06-12-2010 04:30 PM

Excuse my French, but what the HELL is that woman's problem?

You have nothing to feel bad about. If she isn't the barn owner or the horse's owner, she has no business telling you that you can't see the horse. Another thing that irks me is that she was so uptight about you PETTING a few horses. Good god, a horse isn't going to keel over because someone pet him. Even if he's on stall rest from an injury, being petted isn't going to hurt him one bit. Plus you were given permission to go out there, so I don't understand were the chick gets off being such a jerk. Just ignore her. I think you should find out who owns Smudge and ask if you can go visit her. Then that woman won't be able to say anything to you.